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MAES-HOWE
Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinlutrgli.
#
UJ
I—
ii0
NOTICE
OF
RUNIC INSCRIPTIONS
DISCOVERED DURING RECENT
EXCAVATIONS IN THE ORKNEYS
MADE 1!Y
JAMES FARRER, M. P.
PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION
1862
LOAN STACK
CONTENTS
PREFACE ....
DESCRIPTION OF MAES-HOWE
THE EXCAVATION OF MAES-HOWE
BARROWS AT BOOKAN
Large Barrow Containing Graves
MOUNDS AT STENNES
BARROW AT TENSTONE
APPENDIX ....
Origin of Maes-Howe, and Date of Inscriptions
Readings of Inscriptions
Page
ix
II
i6
17
18
19
21
21
25
800
LIST OF PLATES.
I, General View of Maes- Howe from the N.E. to face title page \J
II. Interior View of Maes-Howe . . • ■>■, page 15 1/
III. General Plan and Section of Maes-Howe . „ 20
IV. Plan of Central Chamber, Passages, and Cells ,, 20
V. Sections of East and West Sides of Chamber . ,, 20
VI. Sections of North and South Sides of Chamber
and Passage . . . . „ 20
The numbers on Plates V. and VI. sheiv the situation of the slabs containing the Runic
Inscriptions, -which are numbered accordingly.
VII. Inscriptions Nos. i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
VIII. Do. Nos. 10, II, 12, 13, 14
IX. Do. Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
X. Do. Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
XI. Do. Nos. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
VThe Inscriptions are dranvn on a scale of Z inches to one foot. ^
40
40
40
40
40
PREFACE.
A S the following pages are intended only for private circulation Preface.
among friends and acquaintances, and for presentation to those
few Public Societies to whom such a subject may be interesting, it
is hardly necessary to offer any apology for the many imperfections
in the description of Maes-howe, which may doubtless be pointed
out, and for the brief and cursory manner in which the subject is handled.
I desire only to give a plain statement of facts, in the hope that attention
may be drawn to this interesting discovery, and possibly some further
impetus given to the elucidation of Runic literature. I have received
from the learned professors, whose translations are given, much valuable
information, of which, however, I can only partially avail myself, in
consequence of my very imperfect acquaintance with Runology.
I may add, that every possible care has been taken to ensure accuracy
in the drawings. These and the ground plans were made by Mr. Gibb of
Aberdeen — of whose care and accuracy in the drawings of ancient monu-
ments Mr. Stuart has spoken so strongly in his "Sculptured Stones of Scot-
land," printed for the Spalding Club. The Runes were mostly drawn by
my friend Mr. George Petrie of Kirkwall, and the drawings afterwards
Preface.
Preface, compared by Mr. Gibb with the originals in the building of Maes-Howe.
Two separate sets of casts were made for me by Mr. Henry Laing of
Edinburgh (one of which is now in the National Museum of the
Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh, and the other in the Museum of the
Royal Northern Society of Antiquaries at Copenhagen.) Nothing could
exceed the pains taken by Mr. Petrie and Mr. Gibb ; and the drawings
made by Mr. Gibb were on two occasions collated by him with the casts
in Edinburgh, so that I have every reason to believe that they are as per-
fect representations of the original writings on the walls of Maes-Howe as
can be hoped for, and not the less so that the gentlemen who made the
drawings and collations were unacquainted with Runes. I have confined
myself to the interpretations furnished by the three eminent northern anti-
quaries who have undertaken the task of deciphering these rude inscrip-
tions, feeling assured that the high reputation which they enjoy is a sufficient
guarantee for the accuracy of their translations. In concluding these few re-
marks I am anxious to bear testimony to the valuable assistance I have
received from my friend Mr. John Stuart, Secretary of the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland, to whom in reality I am chiefly indebted for the
discovery of Maes-Howe, since I owe to his urgent suggestion that the
great circle of Stennes, and the tumuli around it, had not been sufficiently
examined, the successful excavation of this ancient " howe." It is also
highly satisfactory to me to know that Mr. Balfour of Balfour and
Trenabie, on whose property this interesting relic of antiquity is
situated, has taken the necessary steps to ensure its preservation — a pre-
caution, unfortunately, too often neglected under similar circumstances.
JAMES FARRER.
Ingleborough, Yorkshire, June 1862.
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MAE S-H OWE
"C^ ARLY in the month of July 1861 I was enabled, by the kind Maes-Howe.
permission of my friend David Balfour, Esq. of Balfour and v ^
Trenaby, to put in execution a scheme long contemplated, but from
various circumstances unavoidably delayed, the excavation of some
of the great tumuli in the neighbourhood of the Stones of Stennes, or
Ring of Brogar. I had in the year 1854 partially explored one of con-
siderable size on the east side of the great circle of stones, which stands
on the west shore of the Loch of Harray. No discovery, however, of
any importance was then made.
Some days were devoted to excavations close to Stennes, to which
allusion will afterwards be made, but as several gentlemen of well-known
antiquarian reputation from Edinburgh and Aberdeen were expected, and as
I was desirous of having the benefit of their experience and advice, I de-
termined at once to commence operations on the great tumulus of Maes-
howe, the subject of this notice. My attention had been particularly
called to this tumulus by Mr. Balfour, whose decided opinion that a
careful examination might result in some important discovery, afforded
me great encouragement, as I well knew that he had for many years taken
considerable interest in Orkney antiquities, and his opinion that Maes-
12 Description of Maes- Howe.
Maes-Hoiue howe was a sepulchral chamber, appeared to be confirmed by local
^ traditions.*
On the afternoon of Saturday the 6th of July, therefore, guided by
the experience of Mr. George Petrie, and assisted by the professional
knowledge of Mr. Wilson, road contractor, ground was broken on the
west side of Maes-howe, and on the same evening, Mr. John Stuart and
Mr. Joseph Robertson of Edinburgh, with Colonel Forbes Leslie of Rothie,
and Mr. James Hay Chalmers of Aberdeen, arrived by the Prince Consort
steamship. As it was anticipated that a couple of days would suffice to
make a large opening in the tumulus, arrangements were made for meeting
there on the loth of July. Before proceeding with the description of
what followed, it may not be out of place to give a short account of the
Stones of Stennes, as described by Lieutenant Thomas in a work pub-
lished by him in 1 8 5 1 : —
" The Great Circle of Stennes, or Ring of Brogar, is a deeply en-
trenched circular space containing almost two acres and a half of super-
ficies, of which the diameter is ^^6 feet. Around the circumference
of the area, but about thirteen feet within the trench, are the erect stones,
standing at an average distance of eighteen feet apart. They are totally
unhewn, and vary considerably in form and size. The highest stone was
found to be 13-9 feet above the surface, and judging from some others
which have fallen, it is sunk about eighteen inches in the ground. The
smallest stone is less than six feet, but the average height is from eight to
ten. The breadth varies from 2-6 to 7-9 feet, but the average may be stated
at about 5 feet, and the thickness about i foot — all of the old red sand-
stone formation. The trench round the area is in good preservation.
The edge of the bank is still sharply defined, as well as the two foot-
banks or entrances, which are placed exactly opposite to each other.
They have no relation to the true or magnetic meridian, but are parallel
to the general direction of the neck of land on which the circle is placed.
* The country people state that the building was formerly inhabited by a person named
- Hogboy, possessing great strength. Haugbuie, in Norse, signifies " the ghost of the tomb ; "
and Haugr, "tumulus."
Description of Maes- Howe. 1 3
The trench is 29 feet in breadth, and about 6 in depth, and the entrances Maes-Hotve.
are formed by narrow earth-banks across the fosse. The surface of the ^^
enclosed area has an average incHnation to the eastward. It is highest
on the north-west quarter, and the extreme difference of level is estimated
to be from 6 to 7 feet. The trench has the same inclination, and there-
fore could never be designed to hold water."
The Excavation of Maes- Howe.
On Monday the 8 th of July, a number of men under the superintend- Excavation
ance of Alexander Johnson, Mr. Wilson's foreman — a most active and Maes-Hoive
intelligent fellow — proceeded with the work that had been commenced on ^ ^ '
the previous Saturday, and before evening discovered a passage on the west
side, which afterwards proved to be the entrance into the interior of the
tumulus. This passage was covered overwith large flag-stones, one of which
having been with some difliculty upraised, we effected an entrance, but found
a considerable accumulation of earth and stones, which was removed on the
following day, and Mr, Wilson, after careful examination, in which his
engineering experience was of the highest importance, agreed to my
suggestion that the excavation should be proceeded with from the centre
of the hillock.
I am chiefly indebted to my friend Mr. George Petrie for the
following measurements, which I believe will be found to be substantially
correct : —
The tumulus is about 92 feet in diameter, 36 feet high, and about
300 feet in circumference at the base. It is surrounded by a trench 40
feet wide, and varying in depth from 4 to 8 feet. It is situated on the
north side of the new road leading to Stromness from Kirkwall, being
about 6 miles from the former, and 9 from the latter place. It is about
200 yards distant from the road, and a mile and a half from the Stones of
Stennes. It has undoubtedly been entered at some remote period,
probably by the Northmen, who, as is well known, were not deterred by
14 Description of Maes-Howe.
Excavation feelings either of religion or superstition, from opening and ransacking any
Maes.Hoiue. V^^^^ likely to repay them for their trouble. Whether they were
*■ y ' the first to break into the building, or whether they found it in a state
of comparative ruin, the natural result of great antiquity, can now only
be matter of conjecture. It is obvious that little respect has been
paid to the dead, since the stones used for closing up the cells, in which it
is supposed they were deposited, were found torn out and buried in the
mass of ruins filling up the interior of the chamber to which these cells are
attached.
The passage leading to the central chamber is 2 feet 4 inches wide at
its mouth, and appears to have been the same in height, but the covering
stones had been removed, or had fallen in for about ii\ feet. The
passage then increases in dimensions to 3^ feet in width, and 4
feet 4 inches in height, and continues for 16 feet, when it is again
narrowed by two upright stone slabs to 2 feet 5 inches. These slabs
^ are each 1 feet 4 inches broad, and immediately beyond them the
passage extends 2 feet 10 inches, and then opens into the central
chamber. Its dimensions from the slabs to its opening into the chamber
are 3 feet 4 inches wide, and 4 feet 8 inches high. At the commencement
of the passage there is a triangular recess in the wall about 2 feet deep,
and 32 in height and width, in front and opposite to it in the passage, a
stone of corresponding shape and dimensions, suggesting the idea that it
might have been used to close the passage, and that it was pushed back
into the recess in the wall when admission into the chamber was desired.
From this recess to the chamber, the sides of the passage, the floor and
roof, are formed by four immense slabs of flagstone ; three of these stones
are broken, and the fourth slightly cracked.
After a few days' labour the whole of the rubbish filling the chamber
was removed, but long ere this was accomplished, the keen eye of Mr.
Joseph Robertson discovered the first of the Runic inscriptions. They
were high up on the walls of the building, smaller and less distinctly
drawn than many that were afterwards discovered, but the important fact
of the existence of Runic inscriptions in Orkney, where none had hitherto
been found, was at once established.
Maes-howl
Plate h
A.KKiMUBl .
IGvlTm''^'^' \v/iii?W fniii? w ffi If .^ iH^i :ni Wv7 f? ^
Description of Maes- Howe. 15
The chamber when cleared out proved to be about 15 feet square -Excavation
on the level of the floor, and 13 feet in height, to the top of the Maes-Hoiue
present walls. Immediately opposite to the passage is an opening in ^ y
the wall 3 feet from the floor. This is the entrance to a cell or
small chamber in the wall, 5 feet 8 inches long, 4!^ feet wide, and 3^
high. A large flagstone is laid as a raised floor between the entrance
and the inner end of the chamber. The entrance is 2 feet wide, o.^ high,
and ii\ inches long. On the two opposite walls of the chamber are
similar openings in the walls. The one on the right is 2^ feet wide, 2 feet 9
inches high, and i foot 8 inches long. It gives admission to a cell 6 feet 10
inches long, 4 feet 7 inches wide, 3^ feet high, and has a raised flagstone floor,
as in the other chamber. The opening on the left is i\ feet wide, 2^ high,
and if long, and about 3 feet above the floor of the chamber. The cell
of which this is the entrance is 5 feet 7 inches long, 4 feet 8 inches wide,
and 3 feet 4 inches high. It has no raised floor like the two other cells.
The roofs, floors, and back walls of the cells are each formed by a single
slab of stone, and stones corresponding in size and shape to the openings
in the walls were found on the floor in front of them. The natural
inference is that they were originally the seals of the chambers in which the
honoured dead reposed.
The four walls of the central chamber converge towards the top by
the successive projection of each stone or flag, commencing about 6 feet
from the level of the floor, as is usually found to be the style of building,
both in the Pict's houses or burghs, and in the still more primitive subter-
ranean dwellings known as Weems. The top of the chamber would thus
necessarily be of small dimensions, and the aperture easily closed by one
large flagstone. This top, or cover stone, together with a consider-
able portion of the upper part of the walls, has been thrown down,
and the highest part of the existing walls is only about 1 3 feet from the
level of the floor. At that point, the opposite walls have approached
to within 10 feet of each other, so that the chamber is now 15 feet square
at the floor, and 10 feet at the top of the walls, in their present
condition.
Large quantities of earth had been piled up over the building when com-
i6
Barrows at Bookan.
Excavation pleted. In each angle of the central chamber stands a large buttress, doubt-
j^ °*TT less intended to strengthen the walls, and support them under the pressure
of their own weight, and that of the mass of earth with which the whole was
covered. These buttresses vary somewhat in dimensions, but they are on
an average about 3 feet square at the base, and from 9 to 10 feet high,
with the exception of one which is only 8 feet high. In each buttress
one side is formed by a single slab. The walls of the chamber are built
with large stones, which generally extend the whole length of the wall.
No lime or mortar of any kind has been used.
The entire number of Runic characters may be about 935, exclusive
of scribbles and many doubtful marks. The monograms and bind-runes,
or connected consonants, are considered as forming one letter. There
are also some marks which may have been intended to represent a horse
and an otter with a fish in its mouth ; also, a winged dragon and a
worm knot, which last has much the appearance of one of the great
Saurians. The two hind legs are very plainly defined.
B
ARROWS
AT B
OOKAN.
This barrow is in the parish of Sandwick, but so near to Stennes that it
may have been regarded as connected with the great circle. It is on the
property of Mr. Watt of Skail, in the West Mainland. It was opened
on the 6th of July, and proved to be a collection of kists or graves. At
the north end of the central kist, a flint lance head, and several fragments
of clay vessels or urns, were found, together with a lump of heavy metal,
supposed to be Manganese, but no bones. In some of the other kists
were human remains in a very decayed state, two jaw bones being the
most perfect. These were much distorted.
Mr. Petrie gives me the following measurements: — The Barrow is about
44 feet in diameter, and about 6 feet high. About 1 1 feet within the outer
margin of the base of the barrow is a circular wall or facing about i foot
high. From the south side of this wall a low passage, 6 feet 3 inches
Barrows at Stennes.
17
long, 21 inches in height, and the same in width, leads to a chamber or
kist 7 feet long and 4^ wide. At the north end of this there was another
kist 4 feet 8 inches long, and 3 feet wide. On the east side there was one
4 feet 8 inches long, and 1 feet 9 inches wide ; and on the west side two
kists, both of which were of the same length as that on the east side, and
both were 3 feet in width. They were all about 1 feet 8 inches deep.
The foundation of the surrounding wall or facing was considerably above
the level of the floors of the kists.
LARGE BARROW CONTAINING GRAVES.
The excavation of this barrow was commenced on the 17 th of July
1854. It was found to contain graves, in one of which was an urn with
a quantity of burnt bones and ashes. It was formed out of a micaceous
stone not belonging to Orkney. It was i foot 9 inches in diameter,
about 18 inches deep, and 5 feet 10 inches in circumference, the rim,
which projected on the outside all round, was an inch and a half wide,
the kist in which it was deposited was 2 feet and a half in length, and 2
feet in width, but the side stones which protected the kist were nearly 6
feet in length, and at the angles, and on the outside of the kist were
quantities of small rolled pebbles and gravel, probably intended to assist
in draining off water. Clay was placed inside the kist at the different
angles ; the flags were about an inch and a half thick, but much decayed ;
the cover stone was of an irregular shape, about 4 feet long and i\
wide; the urn rested upon the corners of four flags; it was partly
decayed, and could not be removed till after an interval of two days,
when I succeeded in raising it. It is now in the Museum of the Society
of Antiquaries at Edinburgh, to whom I presented it, with the consent
of Mr. Balfour.
In another grave within the same barrow was found a small urn com-
posed of baked clay and gravel, nearly filled with soil, and only one or
two small pieces of bone. It was brought to Kirkwall, but could not be
Large
Barroiv
containing
Graves
i8
Moitnds at Stennes.
Large
Barrotu
containing
Graves.
preserved, in consequence of its decayed condition. It was 5 inches in
diameter, 17 in circumference, and 5 deep. The kist was 2 feet 9^ inches
long, and i foot 7 inches wide. The bones, in this instance, had not been
placed in the urn, but were laid on a flagstone in the north-west angle of
the kist. It is not improbable that further investigation might lead to the
discovery of other interments within the same barrow, since neither of
those before described were in the centre of the tumulus, and several
instances have occurred where they have been found near the outside.
Mounds at Stennes.
In the year 1854, 1 had partially opened one of the largest of these
hillocks, but further examination last July did not encourage the belief
that it was sepulchral. I was however advised to examine one on the
west side of the Stones of Stennes, and directly opposite to the one
previously mentioned. In both of them the workmen penetrated to a
depth of 22 feet, and over an area of 9 square feet in the one on the west
side of the great circle, but there was no appearance of any kind of build-
ing. The material of which these hillocks are composed is precisely the
same as that which still exists within the circle of stones, and I infer that
when the moat surrounding the circle was excavated, advantage was taken
of the circumstance to raise these hillocks. Fragments of animal, but no
human bones, were found in each, but in both instances near the top.
Building stones are found at the base of both hillocks, but always
embedded in the soil; those which were easy of removal having no doubt
been long since taken away by the country people. Sections were made at
right angles in both of the hillocks, and it was clearly ascertained that no
building of any size could be concealed within.
Barrow at Tenstone. 19
Tenstone.
In this barrow, which is in the parish of Sandwick, but adjoining Stennes, Tenstone.
I found the remains of two stone urns. The barrow had been evidently
previously opened. There was reason to believe that these urns had been
in separate kists. They were formed out of a micaceous stone, but the
attempt to unite the fragments was quite hopeless. A few small pieces of
human bone were found. The cover and sidestones of the kists remained
in the grave.
General Plan and Section.
Sc^Lt Of Feet.
_'^. y V <i° V y TJI B.0 9,0 i^O
«^,^*.*M?*-«.'
Mafs hin'A'r
I
Cv < ■SS'
PASSAGE
PASSAGE
:z3r
A. iiiii,.liiC
S< ale oC Feel,
■■<.!;SiSi&iS;S^S!iS!^-jjiiS^^j^^
^lA^ (G)J
Plate IV.
^^_
_^._i„l-_i, j.-:^-^-i-„
SECTION OF WrSI SIDE
Sc*Lf OF FftT
3 6 I
•^-^-,,_zj-;
'^'
m
\
k
N? 9 I
rrv£r:lx--':-x;:
Sl:'"^
;nF.
MAES-HOWi
. ,r;L..'tLr,'-v,i-'
SECTION OF SOUTH SIDE.
T
,«3lC
^V^
f 9-Vf'
Plate vi
v=
i^y
t 7
iJ
"y~r=
^
"'rrw^" '
SECTION OF NORTH SIDE.
J
•*-
APPENDIX
▼ T is proposed now to inquire into the origin of Maes-Howe, at what time, and for what pur- Orhin of
■*• pose it was constructed, and who were the people whose names and writings are found Maes-Ho'we.
V J
engraved on its walls. I am indebted to the learned Professors who have furnished me ~^
with their translation of the inscriptions, for the information which is embodied in the foUowring
pages.
It is much to be regretted that the inscriptions are so indefinite, and frequently so much
defaced. Moreover, Nos. 19 and 20 alone make any allusion to the erection of Maes-Howe.
Professor Rafn believes that it was a sorcery hall for Lodbrok,* a female magician, Professor
Munch, that it was the burial-place of a woman of the same name, while Professor Stephens,
who expresses no opinion as to the time when the building was raised, considers the writings
which speak' of Lodbrok's sons, as indicative of its having been used in early times by the
celebrated Scandinavian Vikings of that name, as a fortress and place of retreat. The low
and narrow cells, as well as the low passage leading to the interior, fully justify the opinion that
it was undoubtedly at one time a place of burial. The massive stones forming the floor and
side walls of the passage, and also those used in the inside to support the buttresses, are similar in
character to the neighbouring circle of stones at Stennes. The architecture also is most
* Professor Rafn says Lothbrok— a pair of shaggy trousers — was the well-known surname of Ragnar Lodbrok.
At the time of the carving of the inscription, a popular tradition current in the Orkneys may have ascribed
to far antiquity, and to the said hero of the mythico-historical times, the construction of the barrow ; and on
account of the want of historical knowledge, since the word lothbrok is of feminine gender, the hero may have
been mistaken for a woman, and besides, the accounts in the sagas of his sons may have been repeated, that they
were brave and valiant. The account given in the Fridthiofs Saga of the Earl Angantyre, reminds us of the
pre-historic times of the Orkneys [vide Tridthj5ss Saga, c. 5. Thorsteins Saga Vikings). Here a popular tale
preserved to us in Runes, does the same by telling us that this barrow was the sorcery platform erected of old
for the use of Lodbrok, and was probably also a temple and place of worship.
2 2 Origin of Maes- Howe.
-^ — '
Origin of primitive, and it is evident that the whole work riiust have been one requiring much time and
aes-noiue. lajjoy^. The present form of the mound does not favour the idea that it was originally a plat-
form, and used for the performance of religious rites, though this would not be inconsistent with
the idea that it had been adopted to that purpose at some remote period, having been previously
used as a place of interment.
If we find difficulty in determining the period when the mound was first raised, almost
equal difficulty arises in assigning to any fixed time the engraving of the numerous inscrip-
tions. Many of them are no doubt to be attributed to the Crusaders, but there are others
of probably far earlier date than the twelfth century, when, as stated by Professor Munch,
the Orkney Jarl, Ragnvald, about the year 1 152-3, organized his naval expedition to the
Holy Land. That the writings have been engraved at intervals during a long period of time —
perhaps, as suggested by Professor Stephens, during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries, or
even later — is sufficiently obvious. Some of the stones have the words very faintly and imperfectly
engraved, while in others the lines are sharply and distinctly cut. The absence of division
between the letters (for the dots are very uncertain in their position, and are probably for the most
part accidental) sufficiently accounts for the difference of reading, in several of the inscriptions.
The variety of type — there being no fewer than 1 8 different forms of A, many of them it is
true, like, but still different ; to say nothing of Diphthongs, the Bind-runes, or consonants and
vowels connected, as ^ (se) or J^ (a) and ^ (k) J^ or (a) and (^ \ forming AK, Ar,
and others of a similar nature — necessarily renders the task of translation, more especially
when the letters are indistinct and perhaps unfinished, one of difficulty and uncertainty.
Very few of the old Northern letters are found. The "Dragon" and "Worm Knot"
are still perfectly distinct, and have evidently been carved by superior artists. With the
exception of two stones — one of which is shewn in the drawing of the interior of the
tumulus, and on which four letters are carved — none have been found bearing any inscription
amongst the debris, nor is there any reason to suppose that stones bearing inscriptions have
been removed from the walls. The two stones before alluded to had evidently been used to
close up the cells, and lay on the basement floor just below the entrances to the cells from
which they had been rudely torn. In one of the cells, that on the left side of the chamber,
a few letters were indistinctly written. By accident they were forgotten, and no casts were
taken of them. It is not easy to account for the various elevations at which the carvings were
made. Those on the higher parts could not have been reached by persons standing at the
bottom, but they might have been inscribed after the roof had been broken in, and when the
building was in a partially ruined state. Many of the marks, possibly some of the " scratches"
or " scribbles" to which no importance is attached, and perhaps even some of the doubtful
letters, may be the result of violence used in breaking in the roof. Most of the Runes belong to
the Norwegian division of the Scandinavian class, and have nothing to do with the Gothic or
older alphabet, but, in the opinion of Professor Munch, they exhibit some archaicisms which
Date of Inscriptions. 2 3
prevent their being placed in the latest times of the Norwegian class ; they must therefore be Date of
- , , Inscripi'wns.
referred to about a. d. i i 5 o. ^ -^ ^
The meaning of the word Maes-Howe is very obscure. It is, as Professor Munch remarks,
not easy to explain. The haugr, pronounced how, is plain enough ; the word Maes might have
been derived from Meitis, pronounced almost like Meiss, Meitir, gen. Meiris, which
was the name of a fabulous sea king, and was aftei-wards used to denominate any mighty king or
warrior. Meiris-haugr therefore might have been synonymous with the how, or tumulus of this
fabulous sea king. This opinion of Professor Munch's is at all events not unlikely to be correct ;
certainly local tradition has always ascribed a sepulchral character to the mound. Professor
Rafn thinks that the word is derived from Mar,* the name of a man, and that valuable informa-
tion might be obtained if it were found possible to read with a greater degree of accuracy the
Runes Nos. 6 and 7, since Orki and Mar are named in these inscriptions, and it is to be
inferred that Mar Orkason had engraved some of these Runes.
Nos. 13 and 20 are justly attributed to the times of the Crusaders,t but many of the other
inscriptions must have been engraved by different persons at different times. Professor Stephens
believes that most of them are of a much earlier date than the twelfth century, and this opinion is
much strengthened by the worn appearance of some of the Runes, and the uncertain character of
others. Some of the proper names cannot be read as certainly correct, owing to the marks and
abrasures in the stones. Two of them, Orki and Oframr, are supposed to be hitherto quite
unknown, and may therefore perhaps be referred to the earlier inhabitants of the How, whilst
Gawkr and Trandill both belong to an historical person in Iceland. The other names are
common, and known from Runic inscriptions, as well as from ancient manuscripts and documents.
The name Ingibiorg, occurs several times in the Orkneyinga Saga, and was by no means an
uncommon name in Orkney. Ingibiorg, the widow of earl Thorfinn (who died in 1064) after-
wards married Malcolm, king of Scotland ; but it cannot be safely asserted that this was the
Ingibiorg mentioned in No. 8. On the whole, it seems not unreasonable to suppose that all the
* The word read by Professor Rafn, Maur, instead of Mar, and considered as a proper name, is read mair or
more by Professor Stephens. In the engraving No. 7, the letters are f, -f, /^ ^_ obviously m, a, i, r —
mair. It must therefore be a matter of doubt whether we can receive this word as a proper name, and consequently
whether the derivation of the word Maes-Howe, suggested by Professor Rafn, is admissible.
■}■ Professor Munch supposes that the Jerusalem travellers, who are described in No. 13 as having broken into
the how, were connected with an expedition organized by Earl Ragnvald to the Holy Land. He says " many of
the northern warriors joined the Earl in 115a. They assembled in Orkney, and after passing the winter there,
sailed in the spring of 1153, and after being in Spain in December of that year, reached the Holy Land in August
1 1 54; they went thence to Constantinople, where they passed the Christmas of 1154-55, returning home by
different routes. During their stay in Orkney they had frequent quarrels with the inhabitants." As some of the
inscriptions seem to indicate the existence of treasure in the tumulus, it is not unlikely that it should have been
examined by these warriors, and that they afterwards inscribed their names, together with other remarks, on the
walls.
24
Date of Inscriptions.
Date of names found inscribed on the walls may belong to persons who lived since the construction of
Inscriptions, jjje barrow, and that we have as yet no certain evidence to justify us in determining either the
"^■^ name of the builder, or the period when the tumulus was first erected.
Most of the inscriptions are in the subjoined form of the later Runic alphabet, or the
" Norwegian division of the Scandinavian Runes" as described by Professor Munch. The dots
inside the B, and G, do not occur here, and the /II (y) is not often used.
^ \ ^. i. I f^. k ^. I. h A r. /. ^. k A. I'h. 1.f.
A. B. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. R. S. T.
UV. Y. R. Q. Th.
In the earlier or " Gothic" Alphabet, many of the letters are quite different.
Readings of the Inscriptions by Professors
Stephens, Munch, Rafn.
No. I.
Thatir Vikinkr ... a, kom, Vtir, Hir, til.
That'tr the Viking, came here to weary — (perhaps from the sea, or from battle.)
The inscription is incomplete, several letters being obliterated The a in the Bind-rune
Ak is probably the termination of the word Fra, from. — Professor Stephens.
Plate
Thatir Vikinkr
That 'which the IVicing
komutirhirtil.
came outerly here to.
This is only a fragment, some of the letters being obliterated. It may mean that a pirate
or Wicing had been at the tumulus and found something, or that some person had found what
the Wicing had left. It may however be merely the name of some person, as Vikingr is some-
times used as a Christian name. — Professor Munch.
That Ir Vikingr
This is a Viking
The inscription is incomplete. Vikingr may be the name of a man. — Professor Rafn.
A Kom Ut Irhirtil.
come out is hereto.
No. II.
MoLFR Kolbainssonr Raeist Runa Thesa Ghaut. $
Molf Kolbainsson carved these Runes to Gaut.
Probably a memorial to a comrade who had fallen in battle. — Professor Stephens.
D
26 Readings of the Inscriptions.
Plate nu Tholfr Kolbeinssonr raeist runar thesa.
Tholf Colbanesson engraved these Runes.
The last word, read as haua, seems superfluous. It is possible there may have been some
mis-spelling, the first »/ (a) in haua may have been an / (e) the dot having been a little pro-
longed, /_ and the A (u or v) may have been intended for an R, the word would then read
her a, hereon, or on this stone. — Professor Munch.
Tholfr Kolbeinssonr reist Runar thessar hatt.
Tholf Kolbeinsson carved these Runes on High. — Professor Rafn.
{Note. — Nos. I and 2 are both engraved on the upper part of the building. — J. F.)
No. III.
Bra Hoh Thana.
Bra hewed this.
The third letter h (a) is very rare, and is an indication or the great antiquity of the
inscription. The word hew is often used for carve or write. — Professor Stephens.
Bre Hoh Thena, or, braut haug thenna,
Broke this tumulus.
The inscription seems to be incomplete, some words may have been engraved on another
stone and lost. — Professor Munch.
{Note. — The present state of the stone hardly justifies this supposition. — J. F.)
Bre hoh Thena, bre hoh Thenna.
Professor Rafn does not translate this. He remarks that what precedes is " incomplete
and undecipherable."
Readings of the Inscriptions. 27
No. IV.
Vemuntr Raeist. Plate
Vemunt carved. — Professor Stephens.
Vemuntr Raeist.
Wemund engraved {these Runes). — Professor Munch.
ViMUNDR Raeist.
Vemund carved {^the Runes). — Professor Rafn.
No. V,
F, U, Th, O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, M, L, Y.
This is the Scandinavian Runic Futhork, or Alphabet. The form of the second letter
is very rare, the last three are also very unusual, and may be considered as an indication that the
building had been for a long period of time in the hands of many people. It was the custom
to write the Alphabet wherever it was most likely to meet the eye, and a passing visitor, or
treasure seeker, would have hardly taken so much trouble. — Professor Stephens.
F, U, Th. O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, U, L, U.
The Runic Alphabet — Some of the letters here have been placed out of their proper order,
owing probably to carelessness on the part of the writer. Time has also produced its effects
upon the letters, the || is clearly j*|, and the long stroke in the third letter k (th) is also
accidental. — Professor Munch.
FUThORK HNIAS TBMLR.
The common Runic Alphabet. — Professor Rafn.
28 Readings of the Inscriptions.
No. VI.
Plate rii. Orkasonr, Saghthi, a, Runom, thaeim, Ir, Han, Ristu.
Orkason said, in the Runes 'which he ivrote.
No. VII.
NuARi KuLTURMR, SiKURTHR, Iru, Falnir, Kiaebik, Uil Saeghian Ir, So, Mair.
Orkason said in the Runes which he 'wrote — Nuari, Kulturmr Siiurthr, Iru, are fallen. Kiaebik
'will say ye {^tell you) so more.
These two inscriptions must be taken together ; they have been written at the same time,
and by the same person. It is probably a military message from some battle-field, sent through
a trusty officer who is commissioned to make known the details. The word Nuari is very
doubtfiil ; this part of the inscriptiori is very indistinct. It becomes more legible advancing from
left to right. — Professor Stephens.
Orkasonr sagthi a run om theim er halir ristu.
The son of Orca dictated the Runes 'which heroes engraved.
There seems to have been some blunder in the writing. If the dot on the right side of
the letter \ , has been the end of a stroke, it would convert the letter into the Bind-rune /f .
(Al.) and if the |v. were a combination of L and R, the word would then read Halir, that
is Men-fellows-heroes. The second part of the inscription, No. 7, is only a fragment — perhaps
some part of a verse, but it is doubtfiil. — Professor Munch.
Orkason sahthi A Runum Thaeim Ir Han Risti . . . Saethian Ir So Maur
The resolution 'which this Mar Orkason mentioned in the Runes he carved.
The two inscriptions are to be read together, but much of No. 7, is very indistinct. —
Professor Rafn.
Readings of the Inscriptions. 29
No. VIII.
Ingibiorgh, Hm, Faret, Lutin, Hir, Mighil, ofl, ate. pi^te
Ingibtorgh, the fair lady. Many a •woman hath fared skinclad (or bent) here, (who) great
wealth owned.
Ingibiorgh probably resided here for safety, and, as the word Lutin signifies bent, it may
refer to the low cells which are within the walls of the How. (Note. — The entrance also
is very low and narrow.) The six Crypt Runes, or secret staves, represent the letters, AJE.
R. L. I. K. R., and signify Aalikr or Erling, a proper name, or perhaps the beginning of
some sentence. — Professor Stephens.
Inkibiorh, Hin, Fahra, -EHkia Morhk, Kona,
H^efer, Faret, Lut, in Hir Mikil Oflati.
Ingiburg, the fair widow! Many a woman has wandered stooping In here (although) ever
so haughty.
The writer is probably recording the name of some fair woman, who has perhaps slighted
him, and then reflects that the women who had been buried here, though ever so haughty,
had been curbed by death. Ingibjorg, or Inkibiorh, is a common female name in the north.
The other characters in the third line are known as Limouna, or Bough Runes. They were
used in the later times of the Runic period, in the same manner as the Irish Ogum, but
are not here intelligible. The writer probably intended to represent the chief vowels —
A. E. I. O. Y. U. The Runic alphabet was divided into classes ; the strokes on the left of the
vertical line indicating the class, and those on the right the rune itself. Figures of fishes were
occasionally in use, and were known as Fish-runes. — Professor Munch.
Ingibiorg Hin Fahra .Shkia a Morhg Kona
H-EFiR Farit Lut in Hir Mihkil Oflati.
Ingibiorg, the fair 'widow, or Ingibiorg the Fair, the 'wldo'w. Many a rather proud woman
did walk here stooping (bent forward), or did walk stooping here In (Into).
The Palm-runes underneath cannot be read in the usual manner ; tlie first, third, and fourth
of the runes being a, o, and i ; the writer probably intended to give all the vowels, but some
of the letters have been obviously miscarved, and have perhaps been altered and defaced at a
later period by other persons. In the first of them a cross line has been added to shew that
the letter <t, or (a) is intended. — Professor Rafn.
30 Readings of the Inscriptions.
No. IX.
Plate nn. Thorny Saerth . . . Haelghis Raeisto.
The javelin pierceth . . . Haelghis carved.
Haelghis was probably an Englishman or Frislander. The inscription is much worn, and
evidently very old. The last letter ^. is the old northern Q^ — Professor Stephens.
Thornu Saerth . . . Haelhi Raeist R.
Thorny . . , Haelhi engraved.
Thorny is a female name. Saerth is unintelligible ; something is wanting here ; the last
letter R. is clearly the beginning of the word Runar. — Professor Munch.
Thorny Saerth . . . Haelhi Raeist.
Thorny Sard . . . Helge carved.
The word Saerth is of doubtful meaning. — Professor Rafn.
No. X. •
Plate IX. Thorer Form I r, a proper name.
or
Thorer Fonimir. Thorer, follow me. — Professor Stephens.
Probably the name of a man : there is a rude figure of a horse engraved. — Professor Munch.
Thorir Fomir, a name of doubtfiil import. Fa mSr, perhaps procure me. Thorer, pro-
cure me the cross. The great cross underneath may refer to the Crusade. (Note. — This
cross has been apparently engraved at a comparatively late period.) — Professor Rafn.
No. XI.
Raeist runar thesar Oframr Sighurthersonr.
Ofram Sigurthson carved these Runes.
Several of the letters at the beginning are obliterated. The crosses may be intended for
ornament — Professor Stephens.
Readings of the Inscriptions. 3 1
Reist Runar Thessar Uframr Sigurtharsonr. Plate ix.
Ofram, the son of SiwarJ, engraved these Runes. — Professor Munch.
Raeist Runar Thaesir Oframr Sihurtharsonr.
Ofram S'tgurdson carved these Runes.
The word Oframr, or Uframr, is hardly to be found anywhere else. It signifies « the
modest," " the reserved." The seven crosses denote that this man was one of the Crusaders. —
Professor Rafn.
No. XII.
Otar, Fila, Raeist, Runar Thesar.
Otar Fila carved these runes. — Professor Stephens.
loTAR, Fila, reist Runar thessar.
lotar Fila engraved these runes. — Professor Munch.
Iota Fila Raeist Runar Thisar.
lotar Fila carved these runes.
This is an unknown name. — Professor Rafn.
No. XIII.
That, Man, Sat, Ir, Eki^, He, At, Feuar, Fort, Abrot,
Thrim Notom, Uarh, Brot, Fort, Haeltr, .^Enthaeir.
This is to be read from right to left. (The figure at the beginning is probably a mere scratch.
J. F.) It reads thus : — That man who sat here in ache (sorrowfiilly) He at the Fee- Ware
(at the treasure-gate — from the treasure-guard) forth a broke, with three comrades from the
stronghold broke forth the Hero ^nthaeir. This probably announces the escape of a prisoner,
perhaps an Englishman, as is indicated by some of the words — That for Sa, He for Han, as
examples. He boasts of his escape. He may, however, have intended to record a message. —
Professor Stephens.
32 Readings of the I nscriptio7is.
No. XIV.
Plate IX. JoRSALA Men Burtu Hauk.
Jerusalam Men broke into Hoiu.
^hiiminii, a proper name ; the second word is too faintly written to be translated ; ^misris,
a proper name. There are some more very indistinct letters ; probably they once indicated —
Ireskir Maen . . . Irish Men.
The stone exhibits traces of former writings, which renders the new carvings very doubtful.
— Professor Stephens.
That Man Sat . . .^he At Feuar Fort.
Abrot Thrim Notom Var Fi Brot Fort Haeltr.
JEn Thaeir (No. XIV.), Jorsalamen Burtu Hauk thaena.
Professor Munch reads Nos. XIII. and XIV. together.
To be read from right to left, and No. XIV. taken in conjunction with it. This does
not that (fool !) remember that the treasury was (already) carried away. Three nights was
the treasury carried away rather {i.e., before) than the Jerusalem travellers broke this tumulus
Professor Munch.
That Man Sat Er Igi Saehi At Fe Var F(ert
Abrot Thrim Nottom Var Fe Brot Fcert
Haeldr JExi Thaeir
Iorsalamen Burtu haug thaena.
It is true indeed, as Inge states, that the goods were carried away during three nights.
The goods were carried away before the loraslamen broke open this barrow. Many of the
other runes cannot be made out; some of the smaller ones are very indistinct. — Professor Rafn.
(Note. — Nos. XIII. and XIV. appear to be read as one inscription by the Professor. — J. F.)
No. XV.
pi^f^ ^ Arnfithr, Matr, Raeist Runar thaesar.
Arnjith Mate carved these Runes.
The word Matr may signify « the mighty," or "the greedy."— Professor Stephens.
I Arnfithr Matr Raeist Runar Thaesar.
Arnjinn Mat {perhaps the greedy) engraved these runes.
Matr was a nickname. — Professor Munch.
Readings of the Inscriptions. ^t^
Arnfithr Matr Raeist Runar Thaesar. Plate X.
jirnfinn, glutton, carved these Runes. — Professor Rafn. ^ j-^— «_^
No. XVI.
Maeth, thaeri, Oghse, Er, Ate, Kor, Ukr.
Traenilsonr, Fyrir, Sunan lant.
IVith that Axe which Kor owned hews.
Traenaldson along South-lying lands. — Professor Stephens.
Maeth, Thaeirei 0Hse Erati Koukr Traenilsonr.
Fyrir Sunan lant.
With this Axe •which Goukr Traenaldson owned or possessed on the south side of the country.
The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of
Asgrim Elsdagrimson — described in " Burnt Njai," one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland
about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same
axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the lOth century. The runes here found
were perhaps engraved about the year 1 1 52. No doubt " the land" here spoken of is Iceland,
and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain. — Professor
Munch.
Maeth Thaeri Ohse Er Ati Goukr Traen
Ils Sonr Fyrir Sunan land.
With this Axe, owned by Gauk, the son ofTrandll, In the South of the country. — Professor Rafn.
No. XVII.
Haemuntr, Hartheksi, Raeist Run.
Haermunt Hardaxe carved these Runes, — Professor Stephens.
Haermuntr Hartheksi Raeist Run.
Hermund Hardaxe engraved these Runes. — Professor Munch.
34 Readings of the Inscriptions.
Plate X. Haermundr Harthigsi Raeist Run.
Hermund Hardaxe carved the Runes.
Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk
Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes. — Professor Rafn.
{^Note. — Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost
or miscarried. The letters Jjf J^ ax. the end of the word mn are obviously wanting. — J. F.)
No. XVIII.
RisT Sa Mathr Er Runstr Er Fyrir Vaestan Haf.
The man did cut most versed in Runes in the nuestern countries.
Professor Rafn gives nearly the same description of Gauk as Professor Munch. He reads t
Nos. xvi. and xviii. together. The words Fyrir vaestan haf, to the west of the sea, refer
to the western countries, more especially the British Isles. The Palm-runes are rarely capable of
being deciphered.
{Note. — This No. is taken in conjunction with No. xvi. by Professor Rafn. — J. F.)
RisT, Sa, Mathr, Er, Runstr, Er, Fyrir, Vaestan Haf.
{These runes'j risted that man, in Runes most skilful o'er the Western Seas.
The Palm Runes on the first line indicate Thisar Runar — these Runes. — Professor
Stephens.
RisT Sa Mathr Er Runstr Er Fyrir Uaestan Haf.
That man engraved luho is the best runed West of the Ocean.
No doubt the writer belonged to Orkney, or to some of the other Norwegian possessions.
The Bough-runes are not easy to decipher. — Professor Munch.
Readings of the Inscriptions. 35
No. XIX.
SiA, HouGHR, Uar, Fyrlathin Haelr, Plate
Thaeir, Uoro, Huater, Slitu, Oro,
Ut, Northr, Er, Olghit, Mikit, That, Uar.
Simon, Sighrik.
SiGRITH. InRONINSE ^I.
This How luas closed up — luas quite abandoned. Out North is Fee {treasure) buried much.
That was in Roninsey {North Ronaldshay Island).
The writing is in different hands apparently, and it is probable that the How was abandoned
when the inscriptions were engraved. The three names are most likely the names of the
writers; they point to treasure buried in North Ronaldshay. — Professor Stephens.
{Note. — North Ronaldshay is a wild island half-way between Kirkwall and the Fair Isle,
and not easy of access. — J. F.)
No. XX.
LOTHBROKRA SyNAR,' GhAENAR,
Maen, Saem, Thaeir, Uoro, Fyri, Sir,' —
IoRSALAFARAR, BrUTU, OrKOUGh' LiFMUT
Sa, Li, Ai, Aris, Loftir,* — Hir Uar, Fi Folghit
Mikit.' (Raeist). Sael Er, Sa, Er, Fina,
Ma, Than, Outh, Hin, Mikla."
Oko, Naekn, Bar, Firr, Oughi, Thisum/
^Lothbrok's sons. ^Doughty men as they ivere for them, or, "what doughty men they were.
^Jerusalem Farers {pilgrims) broke open Ork How — Shelter mound ; that ill {this bad retreat)
aye ariseth lofty {still stands erect). ^ Here ivas fee buried much. 'Happy is he luho find may
that treasure the micklc {that great 'wealth). ' Otho Naern bare past part hoav this. Otho ivas
carried past this Hoiv in the ship Naern.
Written apparently by seven different persons, perhaps some of Lothbrok's sons. This
first writing was probably inscribed about the year 870 or 880, by the celebrated Scandinavian
sea kings, and the others at a later period. One appears to complain of the mound itself —
? 6 Readings of the Inscriptions.
0
Plate X. that bad retreat — perhaps on account of its affording shelter to the pirates who devastated the
'^~y^'^ island; another inscription describes the breaking into the How by the Jerusalem travellers, and
the later writings refer to the common belief at that time of the existence of concealed treasure.
Naern is frequently used as a name for ships in Scandinavia. The word Baeirt (at the end of
the fourth line) is not in the same hand as the rest of this line, and can only be considered as
a mere scribble. — Professor Stephens.
Nos. XIX. and XX.
These must be taken together. The two first lines in both numbers, the 3d in No. xix.
and the 4th in No. xx., must be read in continuation.
SiA HouHR Uar Fylathin H . . . r Lothbrokar Syner, Haenar, Thaeiruoro Huater
Sletuoro Maen Saem Thaeir Uoro Fyrisir,
This tumulus -was formerly erected as tumulus (^for Lodbrok, if Haugr is read, or "aj that
of" if we read hennar) her sons they •vuere gallant, hardly (there) were men (such as they were.
For themselves (/. e. shewed themselves).
Then read line 3 in No. xx. —
Iorsalafarar brutu Orkhaug.
The Jerusulem travellers broke the Orkhill.
Then line 3 in No. xix. and 4 in xx., 4 in xix. and 5 in xx., taken in continuation, give —
Utnorthr Er fe folgit Mikit that er la eftir, her va fe folgit Mikit (raeist Simon
Sigh. . . . Sigrith) Saell er sa er finna ma than outh hin mikla.
North-ivesterly is much money absconded, that ivhich lay behind, here tvas much money
absconded (Simon engraved) ; lucky is he 'who mayjind that great treasure.
The raeist Simon, etc., was written afterwards, and does not belong to the sentence.
The 6th and last line in No. xx. is —
Okonaekn Bar Fe Ur haugi thessum.
Okonaekn bore money out of [anvay from) this tumulus.
It seems, then, that it was supposed to have been originally erected for a mighty woman
called Lodbrok, who had gallant sons, and that the Jerusalem pilgrims had dug into the Ork-
hill, which was probably a different place to this Maes-Howe, that the treasure contained there
had been taken away, and that he would be lucky who found it. It also implies that Okonaekn
carried off some of the treasure. — Professor Munch.
Readings of the Inscriptions. 3 7
Nos. XIX. and XX.
SiA HouHR, Var Fyr Lathin Haelr Lothbrokar Plate :l.
Syner Haenar Thaeir Voro Hvatir Slikt Voro
Maen Saem Thaeir Voro Fyri Sir
Iorsalafarar Brutu Orkhouh Lifmnd
Sailia Iarls Ut Northr Ir Fe Folhit Mikit
That Urlofoir Hir Var Fi Folhget Mikit
Raeist Simon Sihr In Tho Ingi Sihrith
Saelir Sa Ir Fina Ma Than Outh Hin
MiKLA. OODONAEGN BaR Fi YR
Ouhi Thisum.
This barroixj ivas formerly a sorcery hall, erected for Lodbrok ; her sons were brave, such
lucre men as they ivere for themselves (such "we may call valiant men, such as they tvere in their
achievements^.
The Iorsalafarar (visitors of Jerusalem) broke open Orkhotv . . . Earls.
To the north-west a great treasure has been hid (but few believe that), a great treasure was
hid here.* Simon sigr (victor) carved (the Runes) and afteriuards Inge.
Happy he luho may discover this great 'wealth. Ogdonaegn carried away the goods from
this barrow.
Ogdonagn is probably a Gaelic name, perhaps corresponding to the present O'Donavan,
and the person alluded to may have been of Scottish or Irish origin. — Professor Rafn.
No. XXI.
Arnfithr, Raeist, Runar, Thisar, Sonr Stains. Plate xi.
Arnfith risted Runes there, the son of Stain. Thruki Let.
The beginning of an unfinished formula. — Professor Stephens.
Arnfithr, Raeist Runar Thisar Sorn Staeins Thrukr Lit.
Arnjinn the son of Steins engraved these Runes.
The other letters are defective and give no distinct meaning. — Professor Munch.
* There is a similar allusion to liid treasure on the wall of a rock at Berrig, in the Star valley North Thrond-
heim County — "gull faitu nin alna nither" — They hid some gold nine ells deep in the earth.
38 Readings of the Inscriptions.
Plate XI. Arnfithr Raeist Runar Thisar Sonr Stains.
Thrukr Lit.
Arnjinn, a son of Steins, carved these runes. Thrud caused .... (incomplete).
— Professor Rafn.
No. XXI r.
BoT ^R Oktil At Sokua, Suo in Kotalant.* Sua Inhlant.
Boot {blood money) is also to seek, so in Gothland, so in England.
It may also be a fanciful Alphabet. — Professor Stephens.
There are peculiar Runes, but too obscure for interpretation. Similar ones have been found
near BafBns Bay. {f^ide Antiquitates Americanae). — Professor Munch.
This No. represents some signs belonging to the calendar — similar ones have been found
in the Paradise cavern, and at Hof in Iceland. [Vide Rafn. Antiquitates Americanae), —
Professor Rafn.
* This ("evidently very difficult carving," says Professor Stephens) may be taken as a fair specimen of the
Bind-rune form of wridng.
"The first letter is B, a very rare form ; the second an ornamental O, with three side strokes instead of two;
the third a T, the strokes being reversed and repeated above and below ; the fourth - here used for JE, ; the
fifth, R; sixth, O, as before; seventh, Kt — l^ and y^^ ; eighth, / (i and a), the side stroke being placed
below; ninth. At, Bind-rune; tenth, an S; eleventh, O again; twelfth, KU — K and U; thirteenth, the
monogram Asuo, A \/f\, the side stroke thrice repeated, then S ( \. for <}. ), an uncommon form, then U
Ipt \ below, and then ( P. j with three strokes ; fourteenth, the Bind-rune Iti K ( j X./^); fifteenth,
an O ; sixteenth, an ornamental T ; seventeenth, the monogram Alant — A f /f ) L ( /*_ J reversed and below,
and i* taken again, and N ^/ ) and T (y) above twice; then eighteenth, the Bind-rune Sua, S (^ )
U (n) ^"'^ A (*J) in the centre ; nineteenth, The Bind-rune Ink. i /w , and ly ; and lastly the monogram
lant L ( /^), A •^ , and N K , and T in the centre — formed thus V. "
Readings of the Inscriptions. 39
No. XXIII.
Ikikaethir, Kynana, In, Uaensta. Plate
Inkikaethr, of 'women the fairest.
Also the figure of an Otter with a fish in its mouth, meant for a decoration. — Professor
Stephens.
Ikikaerth Ir Kynana In Uaensta.
Ing'tgerthr is of ivomen the most beautiful. — Professor Munch.
Igigaerth Ir Kynana In Vaensta.
Ingigerth is the fairest of the women. — Professor Rafn.
No. XXIV.
No interpretation of this is offered by the learned Professors. Plate xii.
Nos. XXV. and XXV [.
A Dragon and Worm Knot. — Professor Stephens.
No. XXV.
This is a Dragon drawn with art. There is a similar one on a stone at Hunstead in
Scania. It may be ascribed to the heathen times, as well as the construction of the barrow
itself. — Professor Rafn.
40 Readings of the Inscriptions.
No. XXVI.
Plate XII. A serpentine winding like those found on Runic stones in the Scandinavian north and on
other monuments from the last period of heathenism, and the commencement of the Christian
era. — Professor Rafn.
Plate XIII. The remaining Nos. are considered by all the learned Professors as « scribbles" or scratches,
and must be considered as unimportant.
Maes -HOWE,
Plat?: VII.
N? I.
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N? 2.
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M= 4,
N° 3.
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N°14.
Plate !X.
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MAES-HOyVE.
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N° 17.
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N° 18.
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W 19,
N?20,
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Plate XII.
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N° 25.
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